RIRW – Chapter 144

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Not only was Grandma Zuo puzzled, but the other people sitting in the courtyard from the Zuo family village were also looking at the newcomers with confusion. They felt that this whole family arriving with such long faces really didn’t look like they were here to attend a wedding celebration.

Zuo Chengcai stepped forward to greet them, but the family who got out of the vehicle all had stern faces and didn’t seem very willing to engage with him.

Seeing the situation, Grandma Zuo’s expression darkened as she walked over and said, “Chengcai, how come I didn’t know you suddenly had more parents showing up?”

Zuo Chengcai said awkwardly, “Mom, these are people from Suli’s family. Her parents, older brother, and younger sister.”

Madam Li’s face turned even gloomier. “We don’t agree to this marriage. And don’t go around recognizing relatives on your own.”

Upon hearing that, Grandma Zuo’s elderly face turned even more sour. “Don’t think just because I’m old that I don’t know what’s going on. It’s a free country now — we have freedom to marry who we want!”

“Mom, don’t argue with them. Let Suli come out,” said Li Suli’s brother.

Father Li, though more reasonable, still had a stern expression as he said, “We’re not here to fight. We’ve come to take our daughter home. We don’t approve of this marriage. She’s a university student — this is the time for her to study. How can she be getting married now?”

Seeing the aggressive attitude of Li Suli’s family, everyone from Zuo family village realized that these visitors weren’t here with good intentions. Turns out, the bride’s family hadn’t even agreed to the marriage.

“Chengcai, what’s going on here? Bring them inside to talk properly.”

Zuo Shuisheng tried to mediate. This was a joyous occasion, and they couldn’t let it turn into an ugly scene.

Zuo Chengcai also didn’t have a good impression of Li Suli’s family, but he didn’t want to escalate things today — he had to save face for Suli no matter what. So he said, “Let’s go inside and talk.”

“No need. We’re not going in. We’re just here to find Suli,” said Madam Li.

Sensing things weren’t right, Zuo Shuisheng’s wife hurried next door to find the others.

“Dacheng, Dandan’s mother, something’s happened!”

Zuo Dacheng was in the main room with Shen Yiming, preparing cigarettes and alcohol for the guests. Zuo Dan was holding the baby in the bridal room along with Li Suli, while Shen Youyou was helping set the bridal bed for Zuo Chengcai and his bride.

Everyone heard what Zuo Shuisheng’s wife said and quickly came out of the room.

Zuo Shuisheng’s wife said, “Comrade Suli’s family is here. They’re saying they’re against the marriage and want to take her home. Your mother is about to get into a fight with them.”

Hearing that, Li Suli’s expression changed and she hurried outside.

The others quickly followed.

Outside, the Li family was still confronting the situation, insisting that they were taking Li Suli home and would not let her marry Zuo Chengcai.

When Li Suli saw that it really was her family, she rushed over. “Mom, Dad, why are you here?”

Seeing her, Madam Li said, “If we didn’t come, you’d go off and marry a rural man! Do you know how shameful that is? Our whole family are city workers. You got into college and will be able to return to the city. Why would you want to marry a rural guy?”

Her words instantly caused public outrage among the rural folks present.

Zuo Chengcai couldn’t hold back either. “What’s wrong with rural people? We don’t rely on you city folks to feed us. Why is it shameful?”

Madam Li fell silent.

Li Suli’s younger sister, Li Sulan, said, “Anyway, our families are not a good match. My sister is a college student now — we’ve had plenty of matchmakers come to our house!”

Grandma Zuo said, “What’s so special about being a college student? My second daughter-in-law is a student at a provincial university, and my in-law is a university professor in the provincial capital. He went to a conference in Beijing, otherwise he’d be here today too. My grandson, granddaughter, and granddaughter’s husband are all college students — students at Peking University! We’re not short on college students in our family.”

After saying that, Grandma Zuo felt extremely proud and vindicated.

The Li family looked on with disbelief.

Li Sulan said, “Who are you trying to fool?”

Zuo Dan walked over and smiled. “We’re really not lying. I’ve even been in the newspapers. Judging by how you’re acting, you probably don’t usually read newspapers anyway, so it’s understandable that you wouldn’t know. Xiaocong, go bring the newspaper out so they can see for themselves. Don’t let them think rural areas can’t produce college students.”

“No need, I have it right here,” Grandma Shen said cheerfully as she brought out the newspaper.

Zuo Cong quickly handed it to Zuo Dan. She pointed to a photo on the paper and said, “See? We weren’t lying. So, Auntie dear, you really shouldn’t judge people based only on their education.”

Hearing herself called “Auntie,” Li Sulan’s face darkened. “Who are you calling Auntie?” She was only a couple of years older than Zuo Dan.

“Oh my, I was just following my third uncle’s lead. After all, you are his sister-in-law,” Zuo Dan said with a fake smile. In her heart, she thought — if it weren’t to avoid creating a rift between her third uncle and Li Suli, she really wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.

The Li family truly hadn’t expected the Zuo family to have college students, let alone ones from top universities in the provincial capital. Their expressions grew complicated.

Madam Li still tried to protest, “Even if you are college students, our families are still too different.”

Zuo Dan asked, “Which work unit are you with in the provincial capital?”

“Our whole family works at the textile factory,” Li’s brother said proudly.

Zuo Dan smiled, “My husband works at the military district newspaper office in the provincial capital. My younger brother was with the provincial education bureau — he quit to attend college. You see, jobs don’t define a person. Who knows when a job might disappear?”

The Li family: “……”

At this point, the Li family really felt conflicted. To them, the education bureau and the military district were both government and military units — the kind of places only cadres worked in.

That meant the Zuo family was actually a cadre family.

Father Li asked, “What about the household registration…”

“What about it? That’s only for access to government food rations. My uncle earns well — we don’t need rationed supplies,” Zuo Dan replied. “Right, Uncle?”

“Exactly!” Zuo Chengcai straightened his back proudly.

Seeing that the Li family seemed to waver, Zuo Dacheng also chimed in, “Even if we’re from the countryside, we’re not begging for rich relatives, and we don’t care for them either.”

Li Suli also firmly said, “Mom, Dad, Chengcai and I are already married. I can’t go back with you.”

Zuo Dan smiled and said, “Third Aunt, don’t worry. Your parents are open-minded people, how could they force an arranged marriage? That’s a political issue, and it’s unacceptable. They came here today to attend your wedding banquet. Besides, it’s broad daylight and so many people are watching. If they forcibly stop your marriage, that’s a crime. They wouldn’t be that foolish, right? Uncle and Aunt are both working in the textile factory. If someone reports this, oh my, they’d lose their jobs.”

The Li family: “……”

Shen Yiming smiled and said, “Exactly. This is the commune’s vehicle, right? I’m sure Secretary Zhang knew you were coming to attend the wedding and helped arrange transportation. How could Secretary Zhang allow them to come here and cause trouble? That would be smearing his name. He’d definitely hold them accountable. Even if he can’t manage things in the provincial capital, he can still report this up the chain. So, Third Uncle and Third Aunt, don’t worry.”

Li Sulan tugged on her mother’s sleeve and decided not to get involved anymore. If this really cost them their iron rice bowl over her sister, that’d be too much of a loss.

Mother Li moved her lips, a bit stunned, but after being tugged by her daughter, she came back to her senses and forced a smile, “Yes, today is a big day—it’s Suli’s wedding after all…”

Zuo Dan laughed and called out to Zuo Chengcai, “Third Uncle, look at you! Your in-laws are here—why haven’t you set up a table yet?”

“Oh dear, I’m so happy I forgot! Come, come, come, everyone come in and have a seat.” He quickly made space and invited the Li family inside.

The people from Zuo Village watched the sudden change in attitude, still a bit dazed and unsure of what had just happened. When they heard Zuo Chengcai shouting to set up tables, they quickly made way. No matter how the in-laws had behaved earlier, they were still the bride’s family—out of respect for the bride, they couldn’t be snubbed today. Afterward, no need to care. If they didn’t like them, they’d just pretend not to see them.

Zuo Dacheng went inside to help entertain the Li family. After chatting with her family for a while, Li Suli went into the room to rest.

Zuo Chengcai pulled Zuo Dan aside and said joyfully, “Dandan, you really are something. You actually managed to handle it just like that.”

Zuo Dan smiled modestly, “Uncle, don’t praise me. I just happened to get lucky. For your lifelong happiness, I forced myself to do it.” She was using tactics—first show strength, then show consequences. She overpowered them with momentum, made them hesitate, and then made them realize the consequences. What could they do?

“If I’d known earlier, I would’ve asked you to propose for me,” Zuo Chengcai said, full of regret. If Dandan had dealt with them sooner, none of this would’ve happened today.

“Uncle, have some pride. I’m your junior—how could I go and propose for you? I only spoke up because I cared about you and Third Aunt’s relationship. But Uncle, let me remind you, when dealing with them in the future, don’t back down. Show your backbone. I’m not saying you should treat Third Aunt’s family badly, just don’t let them walk all over you. Otherwise, they’ll get too full of themselves. You can stay in touch, but don’t spoil them.”

Zuo Dan advised. After all, they were Li Suli’s family, so she couldn’t go too far. They were just ordinary folks—no big waves to worry about. Just keep them under control.

Zuo Chengcai said, “Don’t worry. I know what to do. Anyway, Suli and I are already married. If I go to visit and they give me the cold shoulder, I just won’t deal with them. It’s not like they were ever that good to Suli—I won’t let them ride on my neck.”

Zuo Dan nodded. She had been worried that her uncle would end up marrying a wife and still have to support a whole family like they were gods. Luckily, her third uncle wasn’t someone who let people walk all over him.

After the Li family muddled through a wedding banquet, they were sent to the town. After all, it was a wedding day—no way could the bride’s family stay overnight. Thankfully, the commune arranged two temporary rooms for them to stay the night. They’d return to the city the next morning.

Even as they sat on the tractor, shivering in the cold wind heading to town, the Li family still hadn’t figured out why they had come. They clearly came to take their daughter back—how did they end up drinking at her wedding, watching her get married, and then getting sent away into the cold night?

After Zuo Chengcai’s wedding concluded, the next day Zuo Dan got busy again. Zuo Dacheng arranged a symposium for her—originally just for the people of Zuo Village. But once the event was reported, Secretary Zhang heard about it and decided to make it a full-commune event.

Thus, what was meant to be a small gathering of dozens became a major meeting with hundreds of representatives from across the commune. The village elementary school wouldn’t do—they had to use the commune middle school.

The family bustled around and took a vehicle to town again. Even the villagers from Zuo Village crammed into Zuo Dacheng’s tractor, all beaming with joy—more festive than New Year.

By the time Zuo Dan arrived, the stage had already been set up.

A large banner read: “Warmly Welcome Comrade Zuo Dan.”

The playground was packed with people in all kinds of hats, a dense black sea of heads. Zuo Dan was almost stunned by the atmosphere. Zuo Cong swallowed hard, “Sis, thank goodness I didn’t get first place.”

He’d rather not be top of the class than go through something like this.

Zuo Dan shot him a side glance, “Coward!”

Then she lifted her chin and walked proudly up to the podium. Looking at the dark crowd below, she mentally told herself, “They’re all radishes. Yes, just radishes. No need to be nervous. Who’s afraid of a bunch of radishes?”

Secretary Zhang first cheerfully introduced Zuo Dan’s story, even reading out the newspaper article about her.

Zuo Dan, listening from the side, silently thought: “Could you keep it short? If you say everything, what’s left for me to say?”

Thankfully, Secretary Zhang seemed to notice the audience wasn’t that interested in his speech, so he handed the stage to Zuo Dan.

Zuo Dan glanced around once, raised a hand holding a loudspeaker, and said, “Let me ask you a question—do you want your children to succeed?”

The crowd was clearly surprised by her opening and froze for a second, then erupted, “Yes!”

“Of course!”

It got a bit noisy, so Zuo Dan said, “Just answer yes or no.”

“Yes!” This time, the voices were unified, thunderous. Who wouldn’t want their children to succeed?

“Good. Second question—do you want your children to go to college?”

“Yes!” Going to college brought honor! It meant becoming a cadre!

“Do you want your children to work in an office, holding a pen?”

“Yes!” Holding a pen means being a cadre—of course they wanted that!

Satisfied, Zuo Dan raised her voice passionately, “Then let your children learn knowledge! Honestly, I don’t need to say this—you already understand. Without knowledge, you have no choices. Why do brigade and commune cadres need to be literate—at least primary school graduates? Why? Because only those who can read can understand the documents from above. Only with knowledge can they serve the people! Only through learning can your children inherit those positions in the future. Like I said before—knowledge can change your destiny. Changing your destiny starts with education. Secretary Zhang already talked about my story, so I won’t repeat it. I’ll just say two sentences: No matter how poor, don’t skimp on education. No matter how hard, don’t let the children suffer! Boys and girls alike—daughters can be scholars too! Today I stand here. Tomorrow, it could be your child standing right here!”

“Well said!” Secretary Zhang exclaimed beside her, “No matter how poor, don’t skimp on education. No matter how hard, don’t let the children suffer—that’s what I want written on the school’s outer wall. Let everyone see it. Children must receive education!”

Zuo Dan’s speech was short but stirring. The atmosphere instantly lifted.

Then Zuo Dan briefly shared her study methods—planning to distribute her personal study notes throughout the commune, so each brigade would have a copy for everyone to read.

These were systematic study methods—ones she had seen in her past life online, shared by top scorers in high school and middle school exams. She’d remembered some of them at the time, and now they came in handy. Nothing fancy—just consistent effort. The key was in the different ways of being diligent.

After the meeting, everyone left feeling satisfied and excited. Secretary Zhang kept Zuo Dacheng and his family behind for a private talk.

Once in the office, Secretary Zhang said, “I’m retiring next year. At that time, Secretary Liu will take over my position. As for the deputy secretary role, I plan to let Comrade Dacheng take it.”

“What? Me?” Zuo Dacheng was stunned.

Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming were also surprised—but it made sense.

Secretary Zhang said, “Yes, Comrade Dacheng. You may not have the seniority, but your achievements are remarkable. Zuo Village has undergone a complete transformation under your leadership.”

“……” Zuo Dacheng felt the words weren’t wrong, but when he thought about it, it really had little to do with him.

“Also, this year’s college entrance exam is a major initiative from the central government. Your production team produced two college students—recognized at the provincial level. The higher-ups are very pleased with you.”

Only then did Zuo Dacheng finally break into a grin.